BELFAST — On Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m., the Wawenoc Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society and the Belfast Free Library will be hosting a presentation from Rick Davis called “James Munyon: America’s Medicine Man,” in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library.

James Monroe Munyon (1848-1918) was a chemist and an outstanding marketing entrepreneur. He made millions of dollars manufacturing and selling his many "cures" for every possible malady, at a time when the average worker earned less than $600 per year. His advertisements appeared everywhere in America, including the Republican Journal.

His personal life was also unusual. He was married three (maybe four) times, always to women several years younger than he, including an actress 36 years his junior who was described as one of the most beautiful actresses of her time. One of his former employees, Hawley Harvey Crippen, later became associated with a grisly murder in London.

Rick Davis, Munyon's fifth cousin (twice removed) and president of the Wawenoc Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society, will present plenty of juicy details about his noteworthy ancestor's life at the chapter’s February 15 meeting.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Sharon Pietryka at 338-3884 ext. 25 or spietryka@belfastlibrary.org.